Date of Award
5-12-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
Advisor(s)
Lynn Lohnas
Keywords
Episodic Memory;Free Recall;Positional Coding;Retrieved Context;Serial Recall
Subject Categories
Cognitive Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
The research in this thesis presents a novel experiment and analyses to characterize effects in episodic memory which have classically been developed using different classes of theories. An encoding design was used which typically offers support for positional coding theory, phonological similarity among words in a studied list, with a recall paradigm which typically offers support for retrieved context theory, free recall. This experiment manipulated recall task, serial recall and free recall, as well as the presence and order of similar items across three possible list types. Analyses focused on differences in recall probability, recall errors, and recall transitions by list type and recall test type. In free recall, recall probabilities and transitions between recalls were consistent with retrieved context theory. In serial recall, recall probabilities replicated past findings consistent with positional coding theory. However, transitions occurring immediately after the first error provided some evidence for both theories. Therefore, while work should continue to unify these theories, these results help to clarify the role of each theory across paradigms.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Burns, Nathan, "Contextual and Positional Associations in Free and Serial Recall" (2024). Theses - ALL. 856.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/856
